Thursday, July 23, 2009

This waterfall is a short ways off the Alpha Trail. My daughter and I were quite surprised when we came across it while hiking. After a little research:

Alpha Falls, also known as Gardiner Falls, is the mouth of the valley leading from Alpha Pass. The falls most likely formed after lake drainage through Alpha Pass was complete. Later lake drainage eroded the main gorge to its present level, leaving the valley above the falls "hanging" along the gorge wall. Many waterfalls along the walls of the gorge are at the mouths of similar "hanging valleys."

Almost none of the Homewood Sandstone has been eroded at the top of the falls, suggesting that the valley has never had much flow since glacial lake drainage ceased.

About Me

R Sweetapple

I began Sweetapple Trails as an exploration of two state parks which my daughters and I enjoy.
I hope to learn to use photography
to document the adventures we have – and occasionally you’ll see some of their photos as well…